Rob Manfred, the chief operating officer of Major League Baseball, had at least 20 of the necessary votes needed. / Reinhold Matay, AP

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

BALTIMORE - Major League Baseball's 30 owners are feverishly trying to elect a new commissioner Thursday, with Rob Manfred one vote shy of being named Bud Selig's replacement.

Manfred, the chief operating officer of MLB, had 22 of 23 votes needed to win election and be appointed the 10th commissioner in baseball history, according to a National League executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the process.

Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner is the only man standing in his way with Tim Brosnan, MLB vice president for business, dropping out before the first vote Thursday.

The owners have held several votes Thursday, and broke for a recess shortly before 5 p.m. ET with plans on resuming at 5:30 p.m.

They also ordered dinner for 90 people, bracing for what could be a long night.